ALK5, Activin-like kinase 5 (TGF-ß type I receptor); ANOVA, Analysis of variance; Akt; BEZ235; BSA, Bovine serum albumin; EDTA, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; EMT; FBS, Fetal bovine serum; Hic-5; Hic-5, Hydrogen peroxide-inducible clone 5, also known as transforming growth factor beta induced transcript; IRS-1, Insulin receptor substrate-1; JAG1, Jagged-1; KU-0063794; MAML-1, Mastermind-like protein-1; Myr, Myristoylated; PI3K; PI3K, Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; RCC, RCC; Rap, Rapamycin; Rapamycin; Renal cancer; Rheb, Ras homologue enriched in brain; SE, Standard error; Slug; Slug, Snail family of transcription factors encoded by the SNAI2 gene; Smad, Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog; Smad4; TGF-beta; TGF-ß, Transforming growth factor-beta; TSC, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex; TßRI, Transforming growth factor ß receptor type 1; TßRII, Transforming growth factor ß receptor type 2; ccRCC, Clear cell renal cell carcinoma; mRCC, Metastatic renal cell carcinoma; mTOR; mTORC1, Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1; mTORC2, Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2